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Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced July 2018
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

Lets look closer at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is fairly well matched but the X-5 (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was launched 6 years before the RX100 VA which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the X-5 grades against the RX100 VA with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony RX100 VA

 X-5 RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Pentax X-5

 RX100 VA X-5 
AnnouncedJuly 2018August 2012More modern by 71 months
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony RX100 VA

 X-5 RX100 VA 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 offers outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the X-5 and the RX100 VA.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and RX100 VA is 65 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The pic here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and RX100 VA.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X-5 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged X-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography features
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography features
43
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography info
Sony RX100 VA Street photography info
50
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than average (595 grams)
86
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Sports photography camera
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography factors
53
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than average (595g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
76
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
66
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery life (220 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony RX100 VA
26
relatively wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than average (595g)
81
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
no mic port
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony RX100 VA
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-22 2018-07-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 grams (1.31 lb) 299 grams (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 220 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $230 $998